gabapentin and appetite

[Legflicker]

Hi,

After augmenting on Ropinerole ( and getting loads of great advice on this site) I've started taking Gabapentin . Note that i was still taking Ropinerole and have been fine taking both at the same time and have found it easy to reduce the Ropinerole now that I'm on gabapentin. It's been two weeks and seems to be working well. ( I"m now down to 0.25 mg Ropinerole from 2mg ) Such a relief - BUT- it's making me super hungry and I'm putting on weight. I'm hoping this side effect will go away. Has anyone else struggled with this? Did it get better over time? Nevertheless, I am happy to be reasonably RLS free and will take the appetite gain over RLS any day!

[Joolsg]

Gabapentin and pregabalin definitely increase appetite and overeating becomes difficult to control.I put on a stone while taking pregabalin.

I remember the cravings settled a little after 3 months but never disappeared. I'm now off it and slowly getting back to original weight.

[Legflicker in reply to Joolsg]

Thanks for reply. Good to be aware that it's a real side effect and not in my imagination. Not the answer I wanted but at least I know I'm going to have to really control my hunger cravings now. I'll have to eat lots of lentils for the next 3 months.

[Legflicker in reply to Joolsg]

Can I ask what you are taking now?

[Joolsg in reply to Legflicker]

I'm on Oxycontin- 25mg over 24 hours. I only started on pregabalin because I developed crippling panic attacks on Oxycontin. Dr. Buchfuhrer replied to my emails and suggested adding pregabalin. It stopped the panic attacks. It did help with sleep as it's sedating but after 3 years I developed augmentation in my left arm and shoulder. Annoying but I then very slowly reduced over 9 months as I couldn't face another traumatic withdrawal.

[Legflicker in reply to Joolsg]

left arm and shoulder? I hope this gabapentin will work for me for at least a few years! What a strange thing this RLS is. Sounds like you've really been through it. I hope things are better for you now.